The French international had been a longtime target for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who had been hoping to bring him to the Emirates over the summer but was thwarted by Lyon’s desire to keep him at the Stade Gerland for another year at least.

Wenger could look to revive his interest in the player next month when the transfer window opens, but it is Napoli who are now said to be leading the chase to land his signature and reports in France are suggesting that the San Paolo outfit may even make their approach by the end of the week.

Rafa Benitez is in the market for players to help beef up his midfield ahead of the second half of the season as he continues to look to catch up with Juventus and Roma at the top of the Serie A table.

The Spaniard also has other reported targets such as Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva and Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano, but Gonalons is said to be the preferred choice as he is a more realistic, and cheaper, acquisition.